Engaging older adults in the process of aging research: a multimethod study evaluating the experience and efficacy of a citizen advisory group for a dementia risk reduction program

When creating a new health program, it is beneficial for researchers to team up with the people who will actually use the program. This collaboration helps make the program better in terms of its quality, how easy it is to use, and how much of an impact it will have. A citizen advisory group of nine older adults helped researchers develop an online program about dementia awareness and risk reduction. This study aimed to understand how these group members felt about their role, whether the group achieved its goals, and how it related to different collaborative research methods. Both the group members and researchers took part in an online survey, and the group members also participated in a focus group interview. The group members enjoyed their involvement and felt that it met their personal goals. They, along with the researchers, believed the group successfully achieved its objectives and added value to the program. They also agreed that the group followed the principles of collaborative research approaches. During the focus group, group members emphasized the personal benefits of participating in the project, their preference for limited direct contact with researchers, and how their involvement made the program more accessible to the public. Overall, when researchers and citizen advisory groups collaborate on health programs, it benefits everyone involved, leading to better program quality and health benefits.